Ron Agostini: 49ers close Candlestick with thrilling win

Good songs finish with a spectacular climax. Good meals gradually build to a savory end. Good shows leave their audience laughing, entertained or emotionally drained as the curtain closes.

San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman, center, dives into the end zone after returning an interception 89-yards for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. The 49ers won 34-24. (AP Photo/ San Jose Mercury News, Josie Lepe) MANDATORY CREDIT; MAGS OUT; NO SALES
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San Francisco 49ers fan Lindsey Burkett, right, wipes a tear from her face as she sits with Louie Ahtty in the Candlestick Park seats after an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. The 49ers won 34-24. The 49ers played their last regular season game at Candlestick before moving a new stadium for the 2014 season. (AP Photo/ Matt Sumner)
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan walks on the sideline during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. The 49ers won 34-24. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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A San Francisco 49ers fan holds up a scarf during their game against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. The 49ers defeated the Falcons, 34-24. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group/MCT)
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The San Francisco 49ers's NaVorro Bowman (53) dives in to score a touchdown after his interception against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. The 49ers beat the Falcons, 34-24. (Josie Lepe/Bay Area News Group/MCT)
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San Francisco 49ers fans watch fireworks at Candlestick Park after an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. The 49ers won 34-24. The 49ers played their last regular season game at Candlestick before moving a new stadium for the 2014 season. (AP Photo/ Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Former San Francisco 49ers players Dwight Clark, from left, Steve Young and Jerry Rice stand on stage at Candlestick Park after an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. The 49ers played their last regular season game at Candlestick before moving a new stadium for the 2014 season. (AP Photo/ Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Fireworks explode over Candlestick Park after the San Francisco 49ers beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-24 in an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. The 49ers played their last regular season game at Candlestick before moving a new stadium for the 2014 season. (AP Photo/ Aaron Kehoe)
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A fan hold up a sign at the San Francisco 49ers game against the Atlanta Falcons at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. The game was the final regular season game at Candlestick Park. (Josie Lepe/Bay Area News Group/MCT)
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Atlanta Falcons running back Steven Jackson (39) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. At left rear is Falcons' Joe Hawley. (AP Photo/ Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) is tackled by Atlanta Falcons defensive end Cliff Matthews (98) and other Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) is stopped by Atlanta Falcons' William Moore (25) and Stephen Nicholas during the second half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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San Francisco 49ers running back Kendall Hunter (32) carries the ball to the 2-yard line as Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Stephen Nicholas (54) falls during the second half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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San Francisco 49ers running back Kendall Hunter (32) runs past Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Stephen Nicholas, on ground, for a long gain as Anthony Dixon (24) celebrates during the second half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Peter Kavouniaris and Christo Karahalios, of San Francisco, sit in the back of their pick up truck before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/MCT)
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A large U.S. flag is unfurled before an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. The 49ers were playing their last regular season game at Candlestick, before moving a new stadium for the 2014 season. (AP Photo/ Matt Sumner)
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San Francisco 49ers fans Larry Mathews, 80, a season ticket holder since 1959, watches as the 49ers play the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. The 49ers were playing their last regular-season game at Candlestick before moving a new stadium for the 2014 season. (AP Photo/ Matt Sumner)
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San Francisco 49ers fan Angela Garza holds up a sign about Candlestick Park during the second half of an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. The 49ers wer playing their last regular-season game at Candlestick before moving a new stadium for the 2014 season. (AP Photo/ Matt Sumner)
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San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) intercepts a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas (83), before making an 89-yard touchdown run in the second half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) breaks up a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas (83) in the second half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman intercepted the pass and returned it 89 yards for a touchdown. (AP Photo/ Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) breaks up a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas (83) during the second half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) picked off the pass and returned it for a touchdown. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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Fans celebrate after San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman, bottom, returned an interception 89 yards for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. The 49ers won 34-24. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) runs for an 89-yard touchdown after intercepting a pass in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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The Atlanta Falcons' Steven Jackson (39) celebrates his touchdown with teamamte Harry Douglas (83) in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group/MCT)
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A San Francisco 49ers fan wears a jersey supporting his favorite players before the 49ers and Atlanta Falcons game at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/MCT)
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San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) carries against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh yells during the first half of the 49ers' NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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San Francisco 49ers fans cheer during an NFL football game between the 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. The 49ers were playing their last regular-season game at Candlestick before moving a new stadium for the 2014 season. (AP Photo/ Matt Sumner)
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) celebrates with wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) after running for a 4-yard touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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A San Francisco 49ers fan dressed as Santa Claus celebrates during the second half of the 49ers' NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) is tackled by Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford (23) during the second half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) celebrates after running for a 1-yard touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith watches play during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan throws against the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group/MCT)
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Ron Katsanes, of San Frncisco, uses his 38-year-old webber to cook for friends before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/MCT)
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Former San Francisco 49er Jerry Rice catches a ball on the field at Candlestick Park before the 49ers' NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Atlanta Falcons' Jacquizz Rodgers, right, is tackled by San Francisco 49ers' Anthony Dixon, left, Corey Lemonier, and tight end Demarcus Dobbs, hidden, during the first half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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Fans hold up a signs saying farewall to Candlestick Park during the first half of an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. The 49ers are playing their last regular season game at Candlestick before moving a new stadium for the 2014 season. (AP Photo/ Aaron Kehoe)
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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin scores on a 10-yard touchdown reception against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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San Francisco 49ers fans hold up signs to commemorate the final home game, between the 49ers and Atlanta Falcons, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (D. Ross Cameron/Bay Area News Group/MCT)
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Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith points toward the field during the second half of the Falcons' NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) carries the ball as San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis (52) attempts to tackle during the second half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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Paul Maldonado, right, and Marcus Sperry, left, of the "Helmet Heads" walk in the parking lot before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Monday Dec. 23, 2013. (Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/MCT)
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Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young throws a ball on the field at Candlestick Park before the 49ers' NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. The 49ers are playing their last regular-season game at Candlestick before moving a new stadium for the 2014 season. (AP Photo/ Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) is slowed by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Corey Peters during the first half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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San Francisco 49ers' LaMichael James (23) carries the ball on a kick return as Atlanta Falcons' Patrick DiMarco (42) and Josh Harris move in, during the first half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) celebrates with quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) after scoring on a 10-yard touchdown reception against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh and Anthony Dixon celebrate a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) stiff-arms Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert McClain during the second half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) catches a pass in front of Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert McClain (27) during the second half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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Military personnel sit in the seats at Candlestick Park before an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. The 49ers are playing their last regular-season game at Candlestick before moving a new stadium for the 2014 season. (AP Photo/ Aaron Kehoe)
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Atlanta Falcons running back Steven Jackson (39) begins to celebrate after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Justin Smith, bottom, during the first half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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Atlanta Falcons' Robert McClain, right, returns a punt past San Francisco 49ers Eric Reid during the first half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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Atlanta Falcons fullback Jason Snelling (44) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis (52) during the first half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Gene McCraken of San Mateo, Calif., holds San Francisco 49ers flag before the start of the 49ers game against the Atlanta Falcons at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Monday Dec. 23, 2013. (Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/MCT)
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Atlanta Falcons running back Steven Jackson (39) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers' Ahmad Brooks (55) and Glenn Dorsey during the first half of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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Ron Katsanes, of San Frncisco, uses his 38-year-old webber to cook for friends before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Monday Dec. 23, 2013. (Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/MCT)
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter of an NFL football game in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/ Tony Avelar)
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Good songs finish with a spectacular climax. Good meals gradually build to a savory end. Good shows leave their audience laughing, entertained or emotionally drained as the curtain closes.

If this was the end at Candlestick Park, it delivered to its final heartbeat.

Its closing performance – or was it? – ticked to its conclusion Monday night at 8:46 p.m. Matt Ryan’s desperation pass bounced to the end zone turf as 69,732 generated a sound not unlike a jet at Mach 4. The San Francisco 49ers somehow scraped by the Atlanta Falcons 34-24 and earned a playoff berth while the 49er Faithful didn’t know whether to laugh, cry or continue the party in the parking lot.

They probably did all three.

Really, what more could you want from the final scheduled game at Candlestick, the quirky center of the Northern California sports universe for the last 53 years? All sides played their respective roles like pros – the Falcons, 4-10 but mistake-free until crunch time, the 49ers sluggish and almost drowning in all that nostalgia for a half.

Then the 49ers (11-4) and Colin Kaepernick, their mercurial quarterback from Turlock, awakened in the second half. This was the 49er team we’ve witnessed most of the season, explosive at the right time, decisive and single-minded.

But it wasn’t going to be a conventional 49er victory. No, that wouldn’t match up with what Candlestick was all about. This always was a place of nuance – great teams that somehow couldn’t grab the big prize (the 1960s Giants), a bayside venue shaken but not beaten by an earthquake almost at the second the World Series returned here for the first time in 27 years (1989), and special athletes somehow slugging through the bulk of their career in mind-numbing wind and cold (Willie Mays and others). And then there were the 49ers, the Super Bowl-winning counterpoints to all that heartbreak.

The Falcons, trailing 27-24 and at the 49ers’ 10-yard line, were poised to steal the win, the mojo of this night and perhaps the entire season from the 49ers’ grasp. They had a tying field goal and overtime in their pocket, along with a white-hot quarterback closing in on the win.

Seconds before, an onside kick bounced Atlanta’s way. Surely every seasoned 49er fan remembered Preston Riley’s bobble of an onside which tumbled the 49ers’ back into the NFL pack in the early 1970s. Was this a sorry reprise?

And guess what: Atlanta’s stealing this win also would have fit the plot. Perhaps we would have looked back on it as Candlestick’s football version of another windblown popup dropping helplessly between three Giants, the swansong slap-in-the-face from this often maddening playground.

Instead, the scriptwriters provided the hometown-approved finish, the play no one who’s ever walked through the Stick’s turnstiles will ever forget.

The pass was a fortuitous carom off 49ers defender Trumaine Brock and Falcons receiver Harry Douglas, a kiss from the football gods straight to Bowman. Down the 49er sideline he stepped, past his ecstatic coach Jim Harbaugh and his teammates joining in the dash.

Harbaugh, a football lifer hardened by all the highs and lows the game can drop on a man, knew what he had witnessed was not normal. He turned 50 on Monday, and the guy whose team had reached the Super Bowl less than a year ago figured this play – Bowman’s Bounce – was about as good as the genre gets.

“Best thing I’ve ever seen happen in a football game that happened to our side,” he said. “Best birthday present I’ve ever gotten.”

Kaepernick, not sharp during the first half, energized the 49ers with his arm and those flashy legs toward the team’s 31 second-half points. More fell onto his shoulders due to the season-ending injury of fullback Bruce Miller and the absence of injured wide receiver Mario Manningham. He seemed to figure it out after halftime.

After all, he orchestrated San Francisco’s rally from a 17-0 deficit against Atlanta in last season’s NFC Championship Game. It’s still another reason why the 49ers settled on him over Alex Smith. The 49ers are not 18-7 with Kaepernick at QB by accident.

“I think that’s the loudest it’s every been at Candlestick since I’ve been here,” Kaepernick said. “I got my start here. I’ll be the last quarterback for the 49ers to play in this stadium so that’s another thing that’s going to be very memorable.”

There were other factors at work here, however, events that can’t be explained. An era closed in a manner that can’t be passed off as human drama. It all seemed to be preordained – 49ers fall behind, take charge, come within a play of blowing up the whole story, and, then, magic.

When it ended, thousands remained and sang “Lights” (When The Lights Go Down In The City) by Journey and celebrated the fireworks that followed. They then filed out, and even if fate brings them back here for a playoff game, they’ll remember Candlestick and how this worn-out stadium gave us one more hard-to-believe exclamation point in its final spasm.

Levi’s Stadium will be nice, but how can you top all that was Candlestick?